adminBRITISH number one Andy Murray gave himself the perfect birthday present as he won his first Italian Open title with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Novak Djokovic. It was a first win on clay against Djokovic in five attempts for the Scot, who turned 29 yesterday. He broke serve once in the first set and twice in the second in Rome to win in one hour and 35 minutes.
Murray will return to second in the world rankings before the French Open, which begins on May 22.
He broke the world number one early in the first set, leaving Djokovic — who beat the Scot in last week’s Madrid Open final — visibly frustrated and exchanging words with umpire Damian Steiner.
A deft drop shot at set point saw Murray take the opener 6-3 amid light rain in Rome.
Murray then fought back from break point down to hold serve in the second set, before staving off another two in his next service game.
A frustrated Djokovic, 28, complained rain was making the Foro Italico surface “too dangerous”, but he was told to continue by umpire Steiner, and Murray immediately broke the world number one.
Murray then moved within a game of victory and the pressure started to tell on Djokovic.
Serving to stay in the contest, the Serb double faulted to hand Murray match point and the Scot duly closed out the win.
Serena Williams beat Madison Keys in straight sets to win the Italian Open — her first WTA title in nine months.
The world number one beat her fellow American 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to triumph in Rome for the fourth time since 2002.
Williams, 34, last won a title in Cincinnati in August, and has since lost finals at the US Open, Australian Open and Indian Wells.
She will begin the defence of her French Open title when the tournament gets underway next Sunday.
“I’ve tried to defend there once, twice, three times before,” Williams said of the Paris Grand Slam.
“It didn’t quite work so well. But this year is different. I’m going to definitely go in there and I feel more calm and I don’t feel stress to have to win.
“I feel like I just am happy to be out here.”
Williams showed the value of experience as she claimed her 70th career title in her 89th final — with Keys playing only her second.
Keys, 21, broke serve in the opening game and matched Williams for power throughout, but a loose service game allowed the top seed to level at 3-3.
Williams edged the tie-break, sealing it with a heavy serve, and raced into a 3-0 lead in the second.
Two poor games followed, suggesting the 21-time Grand Slam champion is still some way from her best, but she saw out the set and the match after one hour and 24 minutes.
“It feels great,” Williams said of finally winning her 70th career title.
“I’ve played, let’s see, US Open, Australian, Miami, Indian Wells. So it’s only four tournaments. So it’s not like I was playing every week.
“So that’s kind of how I look at it. But it feels great to win a title, especially on clay.” — BBC Sport
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